Articulate 360

• The typical implementation process for Articulate 360 software involves several steps, ensuring a smooth deployment and integration into your organization’s workflow.

• Initially, the process begins with preparation, where the necessary prerequisites are established. This includes ensuring that the system meets the required specifications, such as having the latest versions of Microsoft PowerPoint and Word, and installing necessary dependencies like Microsoft .NET Framework 4.8.

• Following preparation, the installation phase involves setting up the Articulate 360 desktop apps. This can be done using the Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager (MECM) for large-scale deployments. The installation process includes creating application requirements and deploying the apps to end-users. The deployment can be customized to allow users to see and install updates or restrict non-admin users from installing them.

• Once the software is installed, the configuration phase begins. This involves setting up user accounts, permissions, and integrating with existing systems if necessary. The configuration ensures that all users have the appropriate access levels and that the software is tailored to the organization’s needs. This phase might also include setting up the Reach 360 LMS for distributing training content quickly and efficiently.

• Finally, the testing and validation phase ensures that the software is functioning correctly and that all integrations are working as expected. This phase includes running pilot programs, gathering feedback from users, and making necessary adjustments. The entire implementation process can vary in duration but typically takes a few weeks to a couple of months, depending on the organization's size and complexity.

• Articulate 360 offers extensive customization options to fit specific business needs, making it a versatile tool for various industries. One of the primary ways to customize the software is through its authoring tools, such as Storyline 360 and Rise 360. These tools allow users to create highly interactive and engaging e-learning content tailored to their specific training requirements.

• Additionally, Articulate 360 provides customization in terms of user management and content distribution through Reach 360. Administrators can create distinct learner groups, manage user permissions, and tailor content visibility based on group membership. This feature ensures that different departments or teams within an organization receive relevant training materials.

• Moreover, Articulate 360 supports integration with other systems through APIs, enabling seamless data exchange and workflow automation. This capability allows businesses to integrate Articulate 360 with their existing Learning Management Systems (LMS) or other enterprise software, further enhancing its customization potential.

• Lastly, the software offers branding customization, allowing organizations to align the training environment with their corporate identity. This includes customizing the learner dashboard, adding company logos, and using specific color schemes to create a cohesive and branded training experience.

• When considering the total cost of ownership for Articulate 360, it’s essential to account for several additional costs beyond the basic subscription fee. Firstly, there are setup fees associated with the initial deployment and configuration of the software. These fees can vary depending on the complexity of the implementation and any required customizations.

• Maintenance and support charges are another significant consideration. While Articulate 360 includes continuous updates and support as part of the subscription, organizations may incur additional costs for premium support services or extended maintenance contracts. These services ensure that the software remains up-to-date and that any issues are promptly addressed.

• Training costs can also add to the overall expenses. While Articulate 360 offers extensive online resources and tutorials, organizations may choose to invest in additional training sessions or workshops to ensure that their team fully understands how to use the software effectively.

• This investment can lead to better utilization and more effective e-learning content creation.Lastly, for organizations with more extensive training needs, upgrading to the Reach 360 Pro plan involves additional costs. The Pro plan offers expanded capabilities and supports a larger number of active learners, starting at $3,600 USD for 1,200 active learners. This cost is crucial for organizations looking to scale their training programs.

• Articulate 360 provides comprehensive training and support options to help new users get started and make the most of the software. The platform includes a variety of online resources, such as detailed user guides, video tutorials, and community forums where users can find answers to common questions and share best practices.

• For more personalized support, Articulate 360 offers live and on-demand training sessions with industry experts. These sessions cover a wide range of topics, from basic software navigation to advanced course development techniques. Users can choose from scheduled webinars or access recorded sessions at their convenience, ensuring flexible learning opportunities.

• Additionally, Articulate 360 provides dedicated customer support through various channels, including email, chat, and phone. This support ensures that users can quickly resolve any technical issues or get assistance with specific features. The support team is known for its responsiveness and expertise, helping users overcome challenges efficiently.

• For organizations with larger teams, Articulate 360 offers custom training programs tailored to their specific needs. These programs can include on-site training, customized workshops, and ongoing support to ensure that the team is proficient in using the software and can create high-quality e-learning content.

• Articulate 360 takes data security seriously and has implemented robust measures to protect user information. The platform complies with international data protection standards, including GDPR, CCPA, SOC 2, ISO 27001, and ISO 27701. These certifications ensure that Articulate 360 adheres to strict data privacy and security protocols.

• Encryption is a critical component of Articulate 360's security strategy. The software uses 256-bit TLS/SSL encryption for data in transit and 2048-bit RSA encryption for data at rest. This high level of encryption ensures that all user data is securely transmitted and stored, protecting it from unauthorized access.

• Articulate 360 also employs rigorous internal practices to safeguard data. This includes a limited number of trusted engineers with access to customer data, extensive training for developers, and continuous monitoring of the security infrastructure. The platform partners with third-party testing companies to identify and address vulnerabilities promptly.

• Hosting and disaster recovery are also prioritized. Articulate 360 services are hosted on Amazon Web Services (AWS) with redundant and reliable infrastructure. Frequent automated backups and up-to-the-minute recovery options minimize the risk of data loss and ensure business continuity in case of a disaster.

• Articulate 360 software releases updates frequently to ensure that users have access to the latest features, improvements, and bug fixes. The updates are managed through the Articulate 360 desktop app, which provides a centralized platform for users to install and manage updates for all the included tools, such as Storyline 360, Rise 360, and others. Users can check for updates manually by clicking the drop-down arrow in the upper right corner of the desktop app and selecting "Check for Updates" or rely on the automatic update feature, which installs updates as they become available.

• The frequency of updates varies across the different tools within the Articulate 360 suite.For instance, Storyline 360 has a detailed version history that showcases regular updates, often including new features, enhancements, and bug fixes. Recent updates have included improvements such as enhanced table accessibility, dynamic character counts for alt text, and the restoration of text-to-speech voices. These updates are typically released every few months, ensuring that the software remains up-to-date with the latest technological advancements and user needs.

• Automatic updates are a key feature of Articulate 360, designed to save users time and ensure they always have the latest enhancements. By default, automatic updates are enabled, but users have the option to disable them and receive notifications instead.

• These notifications can be snoozed for a day, a week, or until the next update is available, providing flexibility for users who may not be ready to install an update immediately. This approach ensures that users are always informed about the latest updates and can choose the most convenient time to install them.

• Managing updates is straightforward with the Articulate 360 desktop app. Once an update is available, users can simply click the blue "Update" button in the top right corner of the app. The update will automatically download and install without additional prompts, making the process seamless and user-friendly. This ease of management ensures that even users with limited technical expertise can keep their software up-to-date, benefiting from the continuous improvements and new features that Articulate 360 provides.

• Personal Content: The content created by users, such as Rise 360 courses, microlearning, and question banks in the private directory, is considered personal content and is linked to the user's Articulate ID.

• Shared Content: When personal content is shared with other authors or created in team folders, it becomes shared content. Shared content includes Rise 360 courses, microlearning with collaborators, shared block templates, and Review 360 items in team directories.

Portability:

• Transferring Content: Users can transfer their personal content when moving to another subscription by unsharing or transferring it to their private directory before leaving the current subscription. Shared content must be transferred to another team member if a user leaves the team.

• Subscription Changes: If a subscription is canceled or expires, personal content remains with the user's Articulate ID, but shared content stays with the original subscription. Articulate retains the content on their servers for up to six months after the subscription ends, allowing users to resubscribe and regain access to their content.

• Additional users can be added to an Articulate 360 Teams subscription at any time. The cost for these additional users is calculated at the then-current rates and prorated based on the number of calendar days remaining in the subscription term.

• Upon renewal, Articulate or the authorized reseller will charge the customer for the total number of users at the time of renewal.

Exceeding User Limits:

• If the number of users exceeds the limits specified in the applicable order form, the customer will be charged at the rates available at the time of purchase for all users added during the subscription term.

• Articulate may suspend access to optional features for users exceeding the permitted limits for non-payment or delinquent payment.

Transferring Seats:

• For Articulate 360 Teams subscriptions, seats can be transferred to other users when team members leave the company or their roles change. This can be done up to two times the number of seats in the account per year.

• Articulate 360 subscriptions are available in 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year terms.

• Renewal reminders are sent 90 and 60 days before the renewal date, including information about the subscription, steps to verify or change the payment method, and a renewal summary quote.

• The renewal date is based on the anniversary of the original purchase date, and it is not possible to change the renewal date of an existing subscription.

• If a multi-year plan is in place, the rate will not increase until the contract ends. Otherwise, new pricing will apply at the next renewal.

Cancellation Terms:

• Subscriptions can be canceled at any time, but Articulate does not offer prorated refunds.

• Before canceling, users should export any reports or content they want to save. For example, Reach 360 content is retained for up to six months after deactivation if the Articulate 360 subscription remains active.

• Personal content remains with the user's Articulate ID, but shared content stays with the original subscription. If the subscription is renewed with the same Articulate ID within the retention period, access to personal content is restored.

• For Articulate 360 Teams, shared content such as Review 360 items in team folders stays with the subscription. Users should move shared content to their private directory or unshare it before canceling if they plan to renew later.

Payment and Taxes:

• Subscription fees do not include applicable taxes, which the customer is responsible for paying. If Articulate has the legal obligation to pay or collect taxes, they will charge based on the address provided at the time of sign-up.

• Payment for renewals can be made via credit card or purchase order (PO) for Articulate 360 Teams subscriptions.

• Articulate 360 software is a comprehensive solution that meets various data security, privacy, and accessibility standards. It adheres to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), ISO certifications, SOC 2 Type 2 certification, Cloud Security Alliance (CSA) STAR program, and Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). Articulate 360 also supports WCAG 2.1 Level AA criteria, ensuring accessibility for users with disabilities. It also adheres to Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, ensuring accessibility for people with disabilities. Articulate 360 uses Amazon Web Services (AWS) as its hosting provider, utilizing AWS's robust security infrastructure, including encryption at rest and in transit, intrusion detection systems, and disaster recovery measures. It employs advanced encryption technologies, including 256-bit TLS/SSL encryption and 2048-bit RSA encryption, to secure data at rest and in transit. These certifications and standards help Articulate 360 meet the needs of its users and ensure the security and privacy of its users.